Smoking Health Concerns and Children

[fellrobin]

Hi all

I’ve recently started getting into pipe smoking more seriously. I dabbled and experimented with it in the past and this past month I’ve researched more and sampled a few different blends and I’m honestly loving my time alone with the pipe each evening. I look forward to the solitude all day long if I’m honest. My wife on the other hand, does not… Now she’s been good in that she clearly disapproves but she hasn’t imposed (much). We’ve had a few short exchange of words regarding health concerns etc and she’s basically said, ‘what you choose to do with your health is your own business, but I’m worried about our kids’.

I should say, we have two boys of 2 years old and 4 months old… the latter being the main concern. I do not smoke in the house and I wait until my eldest is in bed. The only issue is that I do help out with night feeds with my baby. Now, to take some level of precaution, I make sure that I change my clothes before bed after I come in from smoking outside, and I wash my face and hands, and brush my teeth.

My questions are:

1) Are her concerns valid?
2) Is there anything else I should do to minimise any negative implication of my pipe smoking?
3) Do any of you have young children? What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks
Nathan

 

[cosmicfolklore]

The problem with smoking kids is that they are too moist, hard to light, and scream too much.

I was left with two little girls 2 years old and an infant, and I smoked in the house, car, everywhere. They are still alive, and healthy. And, unfortunately neither of them have taken to smoking. Damnit!!

 

[ofafeather]

1) Are her concerns valid?
2) Is there anything else I should do to minimise any negative implication of my pipe smoking?
3) Do any of you have young children? What are your thoughts on this?

Hi Nathan and welcome. Sounds like you are right on target and taking reasonable precautions. I don’t think there would be health affects on those around you.

 

[peregrinus]

Now, to take some level of precaution, I make sure that I change my clothes before bed after I come in from smoking outside, and I wash my face and hands, and brush my teeth.

Sounds like you have taken more than adequate precautions.
Unfortunately, children will be exposed to greater passive contamination present in the air they breathe, water they drink and the foods they eat.
Enjoy your pipe with a clear conscience.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

I can’t see a health risk if they’re not breathing in any secondhand smoke. ?‍

 

[fellrobin]

I can’t see a health risk if they’re not breathing in any secondhand smoke. ?‍

Thirdhand smoke apparently. Particles on clothes and skin, etc

 

[anotherbob]

Hi all

I’ve recently started getting into pipe smoking more seriously. I dabbled and experimented with it in the past and this past month I’ve researched more and sampled a few different blends and I’m honestly loving my time alone with the pipe each evening. I look forward to the solitude all day long if I’m honest. My wife on the other hand, does not… Now she’s been good in that she clearly disapproves but she hasn’t imposed (much). We’ve had a few short exchange of words regarding health concerns etc and she’s basically said, ‘what you choose to do with your health is your own business, but I’m worried about our kids’.

I should say, we have two boys of 2 years old and 4 months old… the latter being the main concern. I do not smoke in the house and I wait until my eldest is in bed. The only issue is that I do help out with night feeds with my baby. Now, to take some level of precaution, I make sure that I change my clothes before bed after I come in from smoking outside, and I wash my face and hands, and brush my teeth.

My questions are:

1) Are her concerns valid?
2) Is there anything else I should do to minimise any negative implication of my pipe smoking?
3) Do any of you have young children? What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks
Nathan

you should be good. I know people will say it doesn't matter. Though nicotine does stick to clothing and even though not in high concentrations it could get into the babies system. Which could do annoying things like make it harder for them to sleep.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I'm going to be by the spoilsport in all this, and say that I was a 30 a day smoker, but 2 months before my first daughter was born I gave up smoking entirely. I just stopped and it was dead easy. we were living in quite a small flat at the time and I didn't want to take the chance or doing anything that could harm my daughter. I gave up for15 years altogether before I started again. I'm not suggesting you do the same thing, but if you did, what I would say is that trying to quit is very hard, but just plain stopping is easy as falling off a log.
Anyway, kids are great, and I wish you and your family the best of luck fellrobin.

 

[chopper]

G'day and welcome Nathan.


For the first eleven years of my sons life I smoked 30-40 cigarettes a day before I switched to a pipe.. I was a hands-on dad.
He's 24yo today and he turned out just fine. He is over 6' tall, well built and doing business law at Uni.


Although I don't ever smoke in a home when there's children, there's [non-politically-correct] data that shows that 2nd-hand smoke is not as dangerous as claimed to justify outrageous infringements on smokers rights [and outrageous taxes]

Nonetheless, there is a huge difference between tailor-made cigs and pipe tobacco.
Cigarettes have a staggering 300+ added chemicals.
Pipe tobacco has none [some blends have a little harmless PG]

A U.S. Surgeon Generals report found that pipe smokers who inhale have the same life expectancy as a non-smoker.

Using commonsense and logic it's easy to see the cause of smoking related illness. [Hint; it aint the baccy]

Since I was a slave to addiction, I now only smoke blends with minimal nicotine.
Now I no longer crave for a smoke.

So don't you fret about doing your children any harm from your new hobby.
Enjoy with a clear conscience.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Hi all

I’ve recently started getting into pipe smoking more seriously. I dabbled and experimented with it in the past and this past month I’ve researched more and sampled a few different blends and I’m honestly loving my time alone with the pipe each evening. I look forward to the solitude all day long if I’m honest. My wife on the other hand, does not… Now she’s been good in that she clearly disapproves but she hasn’t imposed (much). We’ve had a few short exchange of words regarding health concerns etc and she’s basically said, ‘what you choose to do with your health is your own business, but I’m worried about our kids’.

I should say, we have two boys of 2 years old and 4 months old… the latter being the main concern. I do not smoke in the house and I wait until my eldest is in bed. The only issue is that I do help out with night feeds with my baby. Now, to take some level of precaution, I make sure that I change my clothes before bed after I come in from smoking outside, and I wash my face and hands, and brush my teeth.

My questions are:

1) Are her concerns valid?
2) Is there anything else I should do to minimise any negative implication of my pipe smoking?
3) Do any of you have young children? What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks
Nathan

Stop smoking around the little ones. You don’t need advice from smokers.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Congrats on your new(ish) baby bro. It’s hard work being parents, so do what you have to do to stay sane and support yourself, each other and your family. I could be way off, but my gut says the issue may not be so much the smoking but the alone time you get to unwind every evening.

 

[chopper]

I'm going to be by the spoilsport in all this, and say that I was a 30 a day smoker, but 2 months before my first daughter was born I gave up smoking entirely. I just stopped and it was dead easy. we were living in quite a small flat at the time and I didn't want to take the chance or doing anything that could harm my daughter. I gave up for15 years altogether before I started again. I'm not suggesting you do the same thing, but if you did, what I would say is that trying to quit is very hard, but just plain stopping is easy as falling off a log.
Anyway, kids are great, and I wish you and your family the best of luck fellrobin.

Quitting a 30 a day addiction was "dead easy"?

Good for you.
Wish I could say the same.

Quit attempts from a 30-40 a day cig addiction was white knuckle torture for me.
Those of us who smoke to cope with depression and stress don't have it so easy.
The psychological attachment for those in that position is huge.

After many quit attempts [the longest being 6 months] over 11 years ago I ditched the filthy bungers for a pipe.
Although I went through withdrawals for up to a week [Many of the added chems in cigs are as addictive, if not more so, than the nicotine IMO], it was much easier because I at least got to puff on something, which 'treated' the psychological aspect.

Since then I have not craved a cigarette once. When I forget to bring any tobacco when out and about, I choose to go without and not in the slightest bit tempted when offered a cigarette, not even a RYO.

 

[daveinlax]

It's not like your chain smoking 3 pack of Luckies a day. A bowl or two around the kids won't harm them.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Quitting a 30 a day addiction was "dead easy"?

Good for you.
Wish I could say the same.

Quit attempts from a 30-40 a day cig addiction was white knuckle torture for me.
Those of us who smoke to cope with depression and stress don't have it so easy.
The psychological attachment for those in that position is huge.

After many quit attempts [the longest being 6 months] over 11 years ago I ditched the filthy bungers for a pipe.
Although I went through withdrawals for up to a week [Many of the added chems in cigs are as addictive, if not more so, than the nicotine IMO], it was much easier because I at least got to puff on something, which 'treated' the psychological aspect.

Since then I have not craved a cigarette once. When I forget to bring any tobacco when out and about, I choose to go without and not in the slightest bit tempted when offered a cigarette, not even a RYO.

It was easy because I knew that stress was going to be replaced by great joy in my new family.

That's a great way of putting it, smoking a pipe really does treat the psychological aspect. Screw yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and all that nonsense. I've tried that and it doesn't even come close to smoking a pipe.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Stop smoking around the little ones. You don’t need advice from smokers.

He said he doesn’t.

 

[bullet08]

When my first son was born, I stopped smoking cold turkey. 6 months later, it was my turn for the pager duty and I was right back to smoking. Few years later we had our second son. I never smoked in front of them or near them. Never smoked in the house. But stress from work kept me smoking. I could have quitted, but didn't want to. 17 years later, both sons are healthy and doing fine.

But, you are the one who has to be in happy relationship with your wife. It's true unless mommy's happy, no one else will be. Talk with her and find a compromise.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

The only case where I would be concerned is if you're smoking indoors, you're not, so there should be nothing to worry about.
"Smells" only impact people if they're allergic.

 

[olkofri]

Thirdhand smoke apparently. Particles on clothes and skin, etc

Please stop smoking if you're really concerned about this.

 

[Ahi Ka]

OP I noticed you are based in UK. I think the only way forward is to smoke ennerdale exclusively and blame the lingering smell on whatever botty balm or soap you use to clean the lads.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

He said he doesn’t.

He is correct!!